Cover-raising device.



J.-A. SEBRI NG. COVER RAISING DEVICE. APPLICATION IIL'ED OUT. 25, 1909.

Patented July 5,1910.

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CQVER-RAISlNG nEvrcn.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 191,0.

Application filed. DQtOlEI v25, 1909. Serial No. 524,544.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. SEEKING, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State principle of the invention being herein ex- 1 plained and the best mode in whichI have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to means for raising the lid of a receptacle.

The object particularly in view in thei present invention is an improved method; for raising the lid of ice cream cabinets of i the type that is commonly found at soda 5 fountains and at other places where ice cream 1 is retailed Receptacles used in such places} a lid which may be manually removed and replaced. As a consequence, any one dis-a pensing the ice cream from the cabinet com- -heretofore have been equipped merely with l monly removed the lid, served the ice cream, I and often neglected to replace the lid. The E warm air was in this way frequently allowed caused considerable melting and loss of the ice cream contained therein. The present invention is designed to effectively remedy these faults.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawingFigure 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet equipped with my device; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of such a cabinet, with the position of parts, when the lid is open, shown in dotted outline.

The cabinet comprises a receptacle A of suitable form having a fixed top o in which is an opening a.

In Fig. 2, the cabinet is illustrated in association with a counter a A lid a fits snugly within the opening a, and it is by opening the lid a that access to the interior of the receptacle is gained. A rod B is securely attached to the rear edge of the lid on and on each side of the lid, the rod B has a bearing in fasteners .7) which are secured to the fixed top of the receptacle, (L The rod B extends outwardly beyond one side of the receptacle A and at this end the rod is provided with a small crank 5 having in its outer end a pin 6 A depending rod C is formed at its upper end with a hook c, which hooks over the pin 6 on the crank b. At its lower end the rod G is attached to a horizontal lever D, which is fulcrumed interme- 'diate of its ends at (Z. A second horizontal lever E is fulcrumed intermediate of its ends at e and has its inner end attached to the free end of lever D at (Z. The outer end of lever E is formed with a broad flat surface 6 so that the lever is in effect a treadle.

From this brief description of the component parts of the device, an understanding of its method of operation and of its various advantages may be readily had. If the dispenser wishes to gain access to the receptacle he presses upon the treadle with one foot. Consequently the connected ends of the two levers are raised and the inner end of lever D is depressed. This, of course,

; pulls down the vertical rod which in turn exerts a pull on the small crank so that the horizontal rod is turned and the lid is raised.

f As soon as the dispenser removes his foot access to the interior of the cabinet, and.

from the treadle the lid will close of its own accord.

The advantages to be gained by the use of a receptacle equipped with my improved device are important. A dispenser may open the lid by pressure of his foot and at the same time he will have both hands free for serving the ice cream. When he leaves the receptacle there is no possibility of his negligently allowing the lid to remain open, for immediately upon his removing his foot from the treadle, the lid automatically closes. It is impossible, then, for any warm air to be admitted into the receptacle except the inconsequential amount which necessarily enters while the actual operation of serving is being performed. The device by which I attain these advantages is an extremely simple one in regard to its manufacture and in regard to its installation on a cabinet, so that the cost of manufacture will be low and it will not be subject to expensive wear and deterioration during its use. It is, of course, to be understood that I do not limit the use of my invention to the exact relation of parts shown.

The rod C is made in two parts which are connected by a turn buckle. By means of this device, it is obvious that the length of the rod C is easily adj usted. The advantage gained by making this rod of adjustable length is practically of considerable importance. The downward movement of the outer end e of lever E is always limited by the floor on which the cabinet rests, so that movement of this lever is limited to a constant distance. By providing a turn buckle in the rod C, however, the degree of opening of the lid a may be varied irrespective of the constant movement of the actuating lever. The degree which the lid will open may thus be adjusted to suit the varying conditions imposed by diflferent counters with which the cabinet may be associated.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the fol lowing claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. The combination with a receptacle provided with a lid, of a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends and disposed adjacent to the base of said receptacle, a second lever pivoted intermediate of its ends and disposed adjacent to the first lever and connected thereto at one end, and means connecting said lid and said first named lever and adapted, on movement of the lever, to raise said lid.

2. The combination with a receptacle provided with a lid, of a rod secured to said lid, a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends and disposed adjacent to the base of said recep tacle, a second lever pivoted intermediate of its ends and disposed adjacent to the first lever and connected thereto at one end, and a rod connecting said first named rod with said first named lever.

3. The combination with a receptacle provided with a lid, of a rod fixed to said lid along one edge thereof, a crank provided at one end of said rod, a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends and disposed adjacent to the base of said receptacle, a second lever pivoted intermediate of its ends and disposed adjacent to the first lever and connected thereto at one end, and a rod connected to said crank and to the free end of the first lever, said rod being adapted, on de pression, to turn said crank.

l. The combination with a receptacle provided with a lid, of a rod fixed to said lid along one edge thereof, a crank provided at one end of said rod, a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends and disposed horizontally adjacent to the base of said receptacle, a second lever pivoted intermediate of its ends and disposed horizontally adjacent to the first lever and connected thereto at one end, and a rod connected to said crank and to the free end of the first lever, said rod being adapted, on depression, to turn said crank.

Signed by me this 19th day of October, 1909.

JAMES A. SEEKING.

Attested by FRANK L. HINDs, E. H. VoeELPoLD. 

